NewsScope for January 27, 2004

John Kerry, the New Frontrunner

Howard Dean's stunning meltdown among Iowa voters followed by his shrieking concession speech left many Democrats scratching their heads and looking for a more even-keeled candidate. Transiting Saturn, the ultimate judge of character, was right on Dean's emotional Cancer  Ascendant, giving him a painful lesson in presidential demeanor, and a damaging blow to his aspirations.

The new frontrunner, the winner of the Iowa caucuses, is John Kerry who was born with his Sun opposite Saturn (December 11, 1943; 7:10 am; Denver, CO). This Sun-Saturn connection gives his personality the seriousness, moral authority and dignity that voters expect from their presidents. Pluto, the planet of transformation, entered this dynamic Sun-Saturn axis a year ago, charging Kerry with the passion needed to seek the nation's highest office.

Two months ago, as transiting Pluto was making its final conjunction with his Sun, Kerry was rapidly disappearing from voters' radar screens and faced early elimination. Following Pluto's process of death and rebirth, he fired his campaign staff to reinvent his public image. Last week when he placed first in Iowa , transiting Pluto was exactly squaring his Midheaven, his point of honor, giving him a successful new start.

Over the next 10 weeks he is favored to remain in the top tier*. Unfortunately, Kerry has no natal or long-term progressed planet aspecting the U.S. Moon, which he will need to connect with the American public if he expects to win in November. However, over the next month his progressed Moon opposes the U.S. Moon, giving him a one month window of opportunity to cement his lead.
Next week: John Edwards.

Contradicting President Bush's message during last week's State of the Union speech, the U.S. weapons inspector in Iraq said last Friday that he found no evidence of any stockpiles of chemical or biological weapons. Secretary of State Colin Powell likewise conceded that Saddam likely had no weapons of mass destruction, undermining the Bush administration's primary justification for going to war.

During the six-month run-up to the second war in Iraq, George W. Bush (July 6, 1946; 7:26 am; New Haven, CT) was experiencing a major Neptune transit to his Mercury-Pluto conjunction. Mercury-Pluto gives an intense desire to convince and persuade, but the Neptune influence indicates that an argument's underlying logic may be based on misinformation, deception, or faulty judgment (See NewsScope September 10, 2002).

As Howard Dean just learned, a major Saturn transit ushers in a difficult testing period. Transiting Saturn was conjunct Bush's Sun last October when his approval rating took a sharp drop, and his critics came out in force. Bush survived that tempest, but has one remaining pass of Saturn before he can confidently advance into the re-election campaign.

Saturn makes its final conjunction to Bush's Sun in mid-June, by which time we may expect a severe challenge to his standing. If this Saturn challenge is to have any force at all, it must begin soon, and the lack of illegal weapons remains the one constant question mark. Still, Bush's progressed chart is better situated than any of his possible opponents. Only if he consciously deceived the American public concerning the Iraqi invasion will he falter, and Saturn will tell the tale.

The Passion of Mel Gibson

Did Pope John Paul II, the spiritual leader of one billion Catholics, say  "It is as it was." after seeing a private screening of the controversial film The Passion of the Christ? Mel Gibson's production company is using the quote to promote his film, while a spokesman for the Vatican says that the Pope does not offer his opinion about any film.

Mel Gibson was born with his Sun in ambitious Capricorn (January 3, 1956; 4:45 pm; Peekskill, NY) and closely aspecting a Jupiter-Pluto conjunction. Jupiter-Pluto combinations tend to have intense feelings about faith, and are often associated with religious fundamentalism. Gibson's adherence to a strict Catholicism shaped the way he portrayed the last 12 hours of Jesus' life as the film's director and writer.

Gibson's Jupiter-Pluto is checked by a square to Saturn, indicating that his beliefs—and his dramatic presentation of religious scenes, face serious challenges. Gibson began working on this project in 2002 as transiting Uranus in late Aquarius entered this natal configuration. This religious side of Gibson hasn't appeared in his public persona until this moment. Uranus, known as the "Awakener", brought these dormant passions to life.

Curiously, on October 24, 2003 as transiting Uranus was making its final opposition to natal Pluto, the BBC and CNN  reported that Jim Caviezel, the actor who plays Jesus, was struck by lightning during filming. Uranus, often associated with lightning, is stirring some deep religious splits as it enters Pisces. On February 20, a few days before the nationwide premier, the New Moon aligns with Uranus in Pisces, sparking tremendous excitement and controversy.

*Kerry's progressed chart looks strong: His progressed Moon is applying to his chart ruler Jupiter, and will be exact on April 10. Progressed Venus trines Chiron, exact on March 12. Meanwhile, transiting Pluto keeps him in the main arena with an ongoing square to his Midheaven, exact the second time in late May. For more on Kerry, see NewsScope July 15, 2003.

Personal readings are available from Michael WolfStar.